Dugout Discussion

Man City stick with false nine in first game without KDB

Raheem Sterling (£11.5m), the in-form Phil Foden (£6.3m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m) start in a front three for Manchester City in their first game without the injured Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m).

Popular budget midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (£5.6m) is part of a midfield three, with Rodri (£5.4m) and Bernardo Silva (£7.4m).

John Stones (£5.1m) and Ruben Dias (£5.9m) hope to continue their impress partnership at centre-back, with Joao Cancelo (£5.8m) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) at full-back.

Ederson (£6.0m) continues in goal.

Callum Robinson (£5.4m) is back up front for Sam Allardyce’s West Brom side.

Big Sam will be hoping Matheus Pereira (£5.6m) can continue his good form, alongside Karlan Grant (£5.8m), Robert Snodgrass (£5.7m), Jake Livermore (£4.7m) and Romaine Sawyers (£4.8m) in midfield.

Semi Ajayi (£4.8m) lines-up at centre-back with Dara O’Shea (£4.3m), with Kieran Gibbs (£4.3m) at left-back and Darnell Furlong (£4.5m) at right-back. Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) is in goal.

In the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang £11.3m), Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) starts up-front for Arsenal.

Bukayo Saka (£5.3m), Emile Smith Rowe (£4.5m) and Nicolas Pepe (£7.6m) are supporting Lacazette.

Granit Xhaka (£5.2m) and summer signing Thomas Partey (£4.9m) start in centre midfield.

With Kieran Tierney (£5.4m) missing through injury, Cedric Soares (£4.6m) starts at left-back, opposite Hector Bellerin (£5.1m).

Rob Holding (£4.5m) and David Luiz (£5.4m) line-up at centre back, with Bernd Leno (£5.0m) in goal.

Danny Ings (£8.3m) and Che Adams (£6.0m) are the Saints’ chosen front two, with Theo Walcott (£5.8m) and Stuart Armstrong (£5.5m) out wide.

Set piece specialist James Ward-Prowse (£6.1m) is in central midfield with Ibrahima Diallo (£4.5m).

With both first choice full-backs missing, Yann Valery (4.7m) starts at right-back, with Jake Vokins (£3.9m) at left-back. Jan Bednarek (£4.9m) and Jake Stephens (£4.6m) continue at centre-back. Alex McCarthy (£4.7m) is in goal.

Man City XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; Gundogan, Rodri, Mahrez; Bernardo, Foden, Sterling

West Brom XI: Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, O’Shea, Gibbs; Snodgrass, Sawyers, Livermore, Grant, Pereira; Robinson

Southampton XI: McCarthy; Valery, Stephens, Bednarek, Vokins; Diallo, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Walcott; Ings, Adams

Arsenal XI: Leno; Bellerin, David Luiz Holding, Cedric Soares; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Lacazette

2,297 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cancelo, Gundogan and Sterling here! Come on Raz, it's your turn now!

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

    2. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He’s been awful so far

  2. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ya that's so f*kd from VAR, and I'm largely a supporter of it. Poor West Brom.

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I hate var, but what was wrong with that?

      One of the clearer offside decisions.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        It was clearly onside to me based off the lines in the grass alone, no issues there. The issue is because the ref called something and VAR changed it which is significantly harder to deal with than letting play on and VAR coming back to undo something. One of my issues with the latter is players getting injured because of situations which should have been stopped long before.

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tbf there was a clear Rodri hand ball not given for penalty. Such fraud var.

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I don't think that's ever a handball, way too close. But a little sketchy it wasn't looked at I suppose.

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He actually accidentally moved his hand onto the ball. If the ball straight hit the arm then it's fine.

          1. Postman Ty
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I agree I did see that, but from that distance accident is the key word, he didn't actually process that in his head.

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Linemen made a mistake, VAR corrected it, referee never blew his whistle. What's wrong with the goal?

      1. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I understand it essentially, but it completely undermines the linesmen if players are told to not listen to them.

  3. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I was considering Dias or Stones to Cancelo for a hit, but thought it could wait and might backfire short. Maybe I should grow some balls 🙁

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Your balls looked fine last night.

  4. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I meaty gave Cancelo the VC

    AMA

    1. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why did you not cap him?

  5. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    That goal is farcical.

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why ?

    2. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup

  6. elchilangles
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    can't remember who it was who told me to get Cancelo over Stones but thank you very much!!!!

  7. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Whoever Gundogan or Cancelo please HT

    or both

  8. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mahrez is an idiot

  9. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So are stones owners still rejoicing they bought him over cancelo?

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Having both is the way to go.

      1. AIRMILES
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        And Dias.

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This

    2. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yep

    3. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Considering the price difference, yes.

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      27pts is more than Cancelo has plus Stones is cheaper?

    5. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes. Or were you not playing last week?

    6. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both

    7. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup still good

    8. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      bit early mate, still plenty of time for Stones to get booked and concede a goal.

  10. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Season derailed.

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      On the contrary...

  11. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cancelo was always going to get that goal in a weird way after all thats gone against him before

  12. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Non Cancelo owner, feel sick rn

  13. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cant believe Cancelo still only 13% owned...

  14. AIRMILES
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    5 years from now I can see us not having linesmen.

    1. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sian Massey likes this

  15. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Ah such fine margins. Swapped Cancelo (c) to Fernandes and Soucek to Sterling in a terrible 2am transfer while not able to sleep...

  16. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who captained Cancelo?! There were a few of you!

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very nearly did, but then remembered Bruno is guaranteed minimum 20 points so went with him

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ha, nice! I’ll take that as a fellow Bruno capper!

  17. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling is just a straight to video version of Salah.

  18. realJPickford
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cancelo capped lol can’t believe it’s worked

    1. Vlekz
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That's this guys first message ever lol.
        Well done though

    2. Tommy J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Thank you team news! I was planning on switching Vardy to Cavani but agreed he may be rested so took a 4 point hit and replaced Robbo and Vardy with Cancelo and Kane...

      1. janowsc
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same moves here...high five!

    3. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones last week and Cancelo this week - I love City defenders

    4. REDMOND IN SANDALS
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      finally i won't get bullied by stones owners

    5. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have Soucek, Cresswell, Antonio, Gundogan and Cancelo. I also only got 70 points last week. Swings and roundabouts this game

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Wow well played!

    6. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cancelo!!!!! All at once!!!!

    7. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      All it needs now is a Sterling tap in 😎

    8. DropkickMurphys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Have cancelo but that goal is so unfair though... ref even blew the whistle and the flag was there so everyone stopped...

      1. Forza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        The ref didn't blow the whistle. WBA defenders were just stupid.

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Didn't blow the whistle

      3. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Blew the whistle after the ball was in the net. You play till the ref whistles.

      4. AIRMILES
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I also have Cancelo and also sort of agree. But it's the rules, and you should always play to the ref's whistle.

      5. DropkickMurphys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Okay guys thanks for the heads up. I didn’t realize whistle came later.

    9. Vlekz
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Any chance bruno rests? Cancelo VC here, many have Bamford vc in my league

        1. Oggle22
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Hope not some how my vice captain ended up on Bamford don't remember doing it!

      • RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Think I’ll just take a -4 for cancelo next week. Worth it longterm

      • Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Mourners join me.

        No Gundo
        Soucek benched
        No Cancelo (Dias and Stones instead)

        Let us join in pain

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Seems as though you got your points last week. Can't say I have too much sympathy as someone who only scored 60 points total last week.

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Fair play mate!

            1. Mr. O'Connell
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Rollercoaster season. So much variance. I thought Soucek was done myself, got lucky in a sense with injuries forcing my hand otherwise he was out the door.

      • JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Chances of a Bruno rest? Cancelo vice

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Same and Soucek first bench

        2. Vlekz
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Same. I dont have the balls to do well at this game. Bruno's EO was crazy

        3. Burger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Ings involved at all?